2_Seattle Seahawks1

Green Bay Packers Gameday HQ

NFC WEST
SEAHAWKS
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Smashmouth running, efficient passing,
dominating defense
Seahawks Offense
You know about Marshawn Lynch’s pile-moving runs
(second in effective yards in 2013, according to FootballOutsiders.
com). You’re well aware of Russell Wilson’s efficient passes off
scrambles (overall, he finished fourth in the NFL with 8.2 passing
yards per attempt) or scampers after scrambles (third among NFL
quarterbacks in rushing yards). And of course, none of this could
be accomplished without the heroics of left tackle Russell Okung
and his Seahawk strong offensive line (ninth in run blocking,
according to Football Outsiders).
But today’s Seahawks have a new dynamic in 2014, with a
wide receiver corps that enters preseason relatively healthy and
ready to contribute to the offense as never before. First you have
Percy Harvin, who battled injuries all season long and didn’t get
to show Seattle his greatness until the Super Bowl game (Harvin
only had 20 snaps all year). Now add Sidney Rice and expect
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Injury-prone receivers, iffy guard play and
three D-linemen gone
SEATTLE
double servings this year since
he only played half a season
last year. So on top of these
two big additions through
injury subtractions, the
Seahawks now also return a
yop 15 receiver in overachiever
Doug Baldwin (+33.3 percent
Defense-adjusted Value Over
Average receiver off 73 passes),
a potential breakout star
receiver in Jermaine Kearse
(+23.5 percent DVOA off 35
passes) and a solid tight end in
Zach Miller (5 touchdowns).
Granted, the Seahawks still
probably won’t become a
primary-pass team right
away—Seattle ran 55 percent
of the time in 2013—but you
can expect the quality of
their passing attack and play
selection to significantly
improve. The 2014 offensive
model is what brilliant Coach
Russell Wilson
HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES SPORT
Pete Carroll has been striving for all along.
Offensive Player to Watch
Lynch may be the team’s heart and soul, but Wilson has
become the unquestioned leader, bringing Seattle to the
promised land as Super Bowl champs in only his second year as
the team’s leader. Whereas Lynch goes into Beast Mode to keep
the chains moving with clutch fourth-quarter runs, Wilson
figures to be just as prominent, going into Feast Mode, when
opposing defenses key in on any specific aspect of his game. The
mistake-free Wilson is about sharing the wealth. Nine different
Seahawks caught touchdown passes in 2013. His running back,
Lynch, had a dozen plunges into the end zone. And on QB
keepers, Wilson has a TD to his name. You never know where
it’s coming from, but you do know it’s coming, typically to the
tune of 26 points per game.